It is the finals of the Ranji Trophy 2021/22 season as domestic powerhouses are having their backs against the wall against Madhya Pradesh. The 41 time champions are just 6 runs away from their losing their grip on the title. The MP team have shown dour defence and resolve to finish the 2nd day at 368 for 3, just 6 runs adrift of Mumbai’s 374 in the first innings.
The story as it happened –
Mumbai had finished on 374 in the first innings as Sarfaraz Khan scored yet another century this season. Prithvi Shaw scored 47, while young left hander Jaiswal scored 78 to continue his good form with the bat. The rest of the Mumbai batting did not do much justice as they failed to support Khan who waged a lone battle. Gaurav Yadav picked 4 wickets for MP with the ball, while Anubhav Agarwal picked 3 wickets. MP lost their opener Himanshu Mantri who scored 31 off 50 balls falling to Tushar Deshpande LBW.
Yash Dubey gets smacked on the helmet –
With over 200 runs behind Mumbai, MP were looking for a good start to the day. With the score reading 153 for 1 and Dubey batting on 56 off 163 balls, the opener got a deadly bouncer from Kulkarni to a bowl clocked at 131 KPH. The umpire was quick to call the medical team even as the batsman stood up. The Mumbai players in the battle mode did not show any sympathay, even though there was concern from Kulkarni.
Ouch! Yash Dubey gets hit on the helmet https://t.co/R4WAsaRPMa
— MohiCric (@MohitKu38157375) June 24, 2022
Dubey and Sharma bring MP on the brink of success –
After the early fall of Mantri, there was a 222 run stand for the 2nd wicket from 73 overs of graft from the MP batters. Yash Dubey and Shubham Sharma showed grit, determination and skill to negate everything the Mumbai bowlers threw at them. Sharma scored his 4th ton of the season before falling for 116 caught behind by Tamore off Avasthi. MP then saw Patidar and Dubey add 72 for the 3rd wicket before Dubey was out for 133. The openers runs came from 336 balls with 14 hits to the fence as he was dismissed by Shams Mulani caught behind by Tamore.
At the end of the day’s play, MP were 368 for 3 with Patidar on 67 off 106 balls with 13 fours. He was given company by captain Aditya Srivastava who is on 11 off 33 balls. MP barring any last minute miracles are in the driving seat to win a famous title triumph in the biggest domestic tournament in the world.